The SIJ Transactions on Industrial, Financial & Business Management (IFBM), Vol. 3, No. 3, March 2015
What Building Management System Can
Offer to Reduce Power Wastage both
Social and Economical: Brief Discussion
by Taking Malaysian Power
Infrastructure as a Sample
Zahid Rasool*, Waqar Tariq**, Ir. Dr. Mohammad Lutfi Othman*** & Dr. Jasronita bt. Jasni****
*Researcher, Faculty of Engineering, Electrical and Electronics University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang Selangor Darul Ehsan,
MALAYSIA. E-Mail: zahidrassol.iu{at}yahoo{dot}com
**Researcher, Faculty of Engineering, Electrical and Electronics, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang Selangor Darul Ehsan,
MALAYSIA. E-Mail: waqar.tariq{at}hotmail{dot}com
***Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering, Electrical and Electronics, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang Selangor Darul Ehsan,
MALAYSIA. E-Mail: Lutfi{at}eng{dot}upm{dot}edu{dot}my
****Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering, Electrical and Electronics, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang Selangor Darul Ehsan,
MALAYSIA. E-Mail: jas{at}upm{dot}edu{dot}my
Abstract—As energy saving and zero energy building concept is flourishing, incorporation and installation of
new systems are necessary to manage a building installed facilities. This particular paper reviews the literature
concerning the energy savings achieved by installation of energy management systems and Implementation of
energy management system and the reduction of the need for mechanical heating and cooling equipment
permit the reduction of buildings' energy up to 50% and often entail no greater construction cost than
conventional design. The paper also discusses the benefits and advantages of BMS or EBMS, the restrictions
and hurdles of its implementation in Malaysian current power systems. Respective paper also highlighted the
main reasons behind the respective challenges and respective solution, taking Malaysian society and current
power generation and distribution /consumption system as a case sample also a bit review on some energy
wasting factors like phantom load or standby energy wastage is included in this paper.
Keywords—Air Handling Unit; Building Management System; Energy Management System; Gross Domestic
Product; Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning; Private Automatic Branch Exchange; Standard
Temperature & Pressure; Water Treatment Plant.
Abbreviations—Air Handling Unit (AHU); Building Management System (BMS); Close Circuit Television
(CCTV); Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE); Energy Management System (EMS); Gross Domestic
Product (GDP); Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC); Kilowatt Hour (KWH); Private Automatic
Branch Exchange (PABX); Standard Temperature & Pressure (STP); Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS);
Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
I.
T
INTRODUCTION
HE era in which we are living is the era of Renewable
energy or the era which always sound of energy
management, energy saving. Energy management is
the concern of everyone, the buildings are now tends to be
constructed in a manner to provide maximum comfort and
ease to the Public with minimum energy utilization. This is
only possible with the help of monitoring, Optimizing and
controlling theme and implementation of such devices that
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are to be installed in a building during construction or after as
per requirement. This monitoring and controlling can be of
any type, from simple switching to smart decision making
according to the respective usage of energy therefore main
idea of such design system is to automate respective
operations of the plant/industry or any building of any use in
most resourceful manner [Swarnalatha, 1; Eng Loo Ler, 2;
Xiaotong Du et al., 3]. Energy Management system is not
only beneficial for society in technological aspects but also
an indeed cost effective phenomenon in various dimensions
© 2015 | Published by The Standard International Journals (The SIJ)
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The SIJ Transactions on Industrial, Financial & Business Management (IFBM), Vol. 3, No. 3, March 2015
most importantly maintenance factor of any kind of building
it also ease user functionality, comfort and safety. Malaysian
society in this era is focusing on high-rise building
construction, with more users of energy in one Compaq
space. The purpose of this paper is to give a brief but precise
analytical review on needs, infrastructure and most
importantly limitations and challenges of Energy
management system in Malaysia [Hawkess & Forester, 4].
II.
BACKGROUND
III. CHALLENGES TO BUILDING
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN MALAYSIA
3.1. Social Challenge
As Malaysian society is in a phase of transformation, because
of this every new product or technological invocation is
taking time space to penetrate. That is why till now
Malaysians are quit reluctant to give space to building
management regarding they are well aware of its benefits, but
there are some basic reasons.
2.1. The Malaysian Needs of Energy
3.1.1. Lack of Technical Complexity
Malaysia is one of the world’s emerging nations in economic
sector and world’s 42nd ranked country by population and
with increase of 1.8% per annum. Comparing with Asian
countries Malaysia is in the lead of number of expiates
maintaining the Integrity of the Specifications. Buildings are
one of the fastest growing energy consuming sectors. It is
estimated that the amount of the energy consumed in
Malaysia buildings reaches 40–45% of total energy
consumption [Saidur, 5].
Many users are not aware of the modern day ultratechnological specs and are afraid of its use due to lack of
technical education or either technology is not so user
friendly so this come across a very basic reason that come
across in implementation of Energy /Building management
system.
2.2. Energy Sector in Malaysia an Overview
In a recent study, high economic growth in Malaysia is
observed, which ultimately causes a rapid increase in energy
Consumption. Several researches reached the conclusion of
the positive connection between electricity Consumption and
the economic growth. From 1980 to 2009, the total electricity
consumption and domestic product (GDP) increased by 9.2%
and 6.2% respectively from 1980 to 2009 [Bekhet & Othman,
7; 8]. Fig.1 shows that the Malaysia has the highest electricity
Consumption among the ASEAN countries. Fig. 2 shows the
distribution of total energy consumption In Malaysia
Department. It turns out that the Commercial sector, the
second-largest user, for about 32% of total energy
consumption in Malaysia's accounting [Xiaotong Du et al.,
3].
2.3. Energy /Building Management in Malaysia
Like other developing countries to contribute in energy
saving
Malaysia
is
also
transforming
towards
Building/Energy Management system the mission to
transform Malaysia into a grand economy can be achieved by
maintaining all standards internationally followed
respectively all sectors specially energy sector. In Malaysia,
as a result of the government’s initiative and Future outlook
in advancing the use of innovative Technologies turns to be
in the favour of both consumers and providers and step ahead
towards smart building management system. Despite of all
tiring efforts of government as well as private sector still a lot
need to do in flourishing building management system and to
implement it as same as international standard for better
efficiency and outcome in both perspectives i.e. economy and
energy saving [Aun, 9; Ramesh Babu et al., 10].
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3.1.2. Fear of Cost Effectiveness
Large groups of user are concerned about the cost of the new
technology, or cost effect on the current system which is
already implemented it’s a natural factor that the user end is
not concerned about the efficiency or energy usage but do
care about the cost that is becoming a big hurdle in progress
of BMS/EMS.
IV.
IDEOLOGICAL ISSUES
As all the basic infrastructure of energy sector is in directly or
indirectly control of government or supporting bodies so a
large number of user/investor might be hesitant or reluctant to
give room to a new technology due to their political or
ideological differences.
V.
GOVERNMENTAL CONCERN
The most important block of a society is government, and in
Malaysian society government plays a key role in
developmental projects however government is also showing
some concerns of implementing Building Management
System as a national policy some basic reasons are as
follows.
5.1. Time and Cost of Installation
Government is really concerned that if they tends make
Building/Energy management as a national policy how much
time and cost will it take to replace, reinstall or enhance the
current Installed system.
5.2. Public Demand
Government also wants to make sure that what is public need
but more that what is public demand so the public perception
also makes effect on the progress in any new technology
implementation in this case BMS/EMS.
© 2015 | Published by The Standard International Journals (The SIJ)
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The SIJ Transactions on Industrial, Financial & Business Management (IFBM), Vol. 3, No. 3, March 2015
VII.
5.3. Investor Concern
Concern that whether the investment is safe or not in the
respective society, however the risk factor is not as bigger as
of the under developing countries. All above factors are the
challenges which energy/building management system is
facing for its implication in Malaysian society [Lewis, 21].
VI.
STATISTICAL OVERVIEW OF MALAYSIAN
ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION
According to many independent and governmental surveys
and reports confirms that the need of electricity of Malaysian
society is in a continuous increase year by year the below
chart explain electricity consumption KWh per capita of
Malaysia according to world bank report published in 2010.
PHANTOM LOAD FACTOR
Phantom Load or ghost load is one of the most rapidly
growing in this current era. The production of electrical and
electronic is constantly increasing because of rapid economic
growth and the increasing demand of consumer has increased
both the production and the consumption of Electrical and
Electronic Equipment (EEE) [Sinha, 11]. E-Waste widely
cover from all electrical and electronic equipment such as
mobile phone, digital music recorder/p layer, computer,
refrigerator, television, washing machine a and many other
house hold consumer item [12].
Phantom load or vampire draw the power wastage done
by electronic appliances such as laptop, TV’s, DVD player,
mobile phone etc during standby mode or low efficiency after
a certain time period of use. The main cause of phantom load
is continuous use electrical and electronic appliances and not
shutting it down after use it and all appliances remain on
standby mode that uses 30% of total and continuous
electricity. Which is one of the main causes of wastage of
power and that’s way the ratio between industrial and
household is gradually becoming closer [Khetriwal et al., 13;
Wen et al., 14; Rachna Arora, 15; Kalana, 16].
VIII. HOW BMS/EMS IS REAL SOLUTION?
Figure 1: The Electric Power Consumption (kWh per Capita) in
Malaysia [Saidur, 5]
In this era, where energy management is the core concern, the
buildings are being constructed in a manner to provide
maximum comfort and ease to the people with minimum
energy utilization. This whole thing is only possible with the
help of controlling devices that are to be installed in a
building during construction. This controlling can be of any
type, from simple switching on and off of the lights, to water
motor control or HVAC System and many more. Therefore
main idea of designing Building Management system is to
automate these operations of the plant in most resourceful
manner [Swarnalatha, 17; Byron A. Ellis, 18].
8.1. The Scope of BMS/EMS
Figure 2: Electricity Distribution Scenario of Malaysia [Rosnazri Ali
et al., 6]
As this massive consumption of electricity the wastage is
also the same in Malaysia it is being assumed that
approximately 30% to 45% of the total electricity
consumption is wasted in current implemented scenario of
distribution and usage. There is a weird scenario occurring in
Malaysia that the ratio of electric wastage between
industry/institution and house hold is getting closer and
closer.
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Building Management System is based on the controlling of
temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide inside the building,
basic functions of BMS can be seen in figure 2 the priority is
given to maintain a specific temperature in a building by
controlling the heating and cooling, which is done by
operations of fan, ventilation and damper. Beside this
minimization of carbon dioxide followed by increase in
oxygen has also been kept as an important feature.
This building management system is mainly designed to
manage and supervise the following activities:
 Electrical Distribution Panels
 Lighting Control Conditioning System
 Fire Alarm & Fire Fighting
 Public Address
 CCTV System Monitoring
 Intrusion Detection, Water Consumption.
© 2015 | Published by The Standard International Journals (The SIJ)
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The SIJ Transactions on Industrial, Financial & Business Management (IFBM), Vol. 3, No. 3, March 2015
Some of the major advantages of this system include
good control of internal comfort conditions, possibility of
individual room control, effective monitoring and targeting of
energy consumption, improved plant reliability and life, save
time and money during the maintenance, control Of building,
central or remote control and monitoring of building, remote
Monitoring of the plants (such as AHU, Fire pumps,
plumbing pumps, Electrical supply, STP, WTP etc.) [Hamid
Reza Naji, 19].
8.2. Classified Advantages of BMS/EMS
The advantages can be classified in to three main domains i.e.
Building tenant/occupants, Building owner and Maintenance
companies.
8.2.1. Building Tenant/Occupants








Good control of internal comfort conditions
Possibility of individual room control
Increased staff productivity
Effective monitoring and targeting of energy
consumption
Improved plant reliability and life
Effective response to HVAC-related complaints
Save time and money during the maintenance
Control of Building



ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to acknowledge the support of
Universiti Putra Malaysia for providing technical research
environment and access to technical/theoretical resources.
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


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IX.
CONCLUSION
The Issue of energy efficiency has come to manage the
energy policy world widely. This is set to continue into the
future as a result of political and financial requirements
concern about the environment and climate. Buildings have a
significant impact on energy efficiency potentials of the
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Zahid Rasool was born on 8th September
1988 at Karachi, Pakistan. He studied in
Major of Electronics for Bachelors degree
(Engineering) at Iqra University from 2007 to
2012. He started working under internship in
different well known organizations like,
Pakistan International Airlines and Pakistan
Army, served as application engineer. He
started Masters Degree program in 2012 from
University Putra Malaysia.
Ir. Dr. Mohammad Lutfi Othman received
the BSc degree with Magna Cum Laude
distinction in electrical engineering from the
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA, in
1990 and the MSc degree also in electrical
engineering from the University Putra
Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia, in 2004. He is
currently pursuing his PhD degree in UPM on
protective relay operation analysis using data
mining approach. Currently, he is a full time Lecturer at the
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of
Engineering, University Putra Malaysia. He is also an Electrical
Engineering Consultant in electrical services installation works and
an Electrical Director/Partner in a local engineering consultancy
firm as an effort of intermingling between academia and industrial
experience. This serves as an opportunity for his students to attain
some industrial exposure in his teaching. Ir. Mohammad Lutfi
Othman is a Professional Engineer (P Eng) registered under the
Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and a Corporate Member of
the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM). He is also a member of
the of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) which is based in
the USA.
Dr. Jasronita bt. Jasni received B. Eng. (H)
Electrical Engineering, in 1998, from
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, then got M.E.
Electrical Engineering, in 2001, from
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and done PhD
Electrical Power Engineering, in 2010, from
Universiti Putra Malaysia.Serving as senior
lecturer at University Putra Malaysia since
2010.
Waqar Tariq was born on 27th December
1987 at Karachi, Pakistan. He studied in
Major of Electronics for Bachelors degree
(Engineering) at Iqra University from 2007 to
2012. He started working under internship in
different well known organizations like
Pakistan Army, Pakistan International
Airlines and Avialite Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
serving in field service engineering,
manufacturing and production department, sales and marketing
department and research and development department. He started
Masters Degree program in 2012 from University Putra Malaysia.
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